In 2008, about 515,000 people were injured and 5,870 people lost their lives in police-reported crashes where at least one form of driver distraction was reported on the crash report. While these numbers are significant, they may not state the true size of the problem, since identifying distractions and their role in crashes can be very difficult for law enforcement. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
On this page AAMVA attempts to list a cross-section of information and resources on the study and prevention of the distracted driving epidemic that has taken hold in the U.S. and throughout the world.
This list is not exhaustive, and may or may not reflect the policies or opinions of AAMVA.
Adults Just as Likely to Text While Driving as Teens (June 2010 - Pew Research Center)
Distracted Driving Foundation - Coordinating a technical solution to the distracted driving problem
The Distracted Driving Foundation is a non-profit organization founded on a simple premise—that consumers should no longer be distracted by handheld electronic devices when they drive.
DOT, FMCSA Announce Immediate Ban of Texting While Driving Commercial Vehicles (Jan. 26, 2010)
Transportation Safety Organizations Urge Comprehensive Solution to Distracted Driving (October 2009)
AAMVA joined other leading transportation organizations in a letter sent to the U.S. Congress urging a comprehensive approach to address the dangers posed by distracted driving...
Enforcing Texting and Cell Phone Laws (by Ed Klumpp, Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police)
FocusDriven: A nonprofit organization that supports victims of cell phone distracted driving and families of victims, and increase public awareness of the dangers of cell phone distracted driving by puting a human face on the disastrous impact of this behavior, in order to promote corresponding public policies, programs and personal responsibility. www.FocusDriven.org
DOT Unveils New Website Dedicated to Combating Distracted Driving (Dec. 29, 2009) | www.Distraction.gov
DOT and FCC Join Forces to Combat Distracted Driving (Nov. 4, 2009)
Testimony of Chairman Julius Genachowski, FCC,
Driven To Distraction: Technological Devices and Vehicle Safety
Before the Subcommittees on Communications, Technology and the Internet and Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection Committee on Energy and Commerce, U.S. House of Representatives
Joint letter to Congress to Address Distracted Driving (October 2009 - AAMVA, AAA, AASHTO, American Highway Users Alliance, GHSA)
'Heads Up' Driving Week (AAA and AAA Foundation)
2009 Traffic Safety Culture Index (July 2009 - AAA Foundation)
State Cell Phone Driving Laws (GHSA)
Driven to Distraction: Distracted Driving Laws in Canada (CAA)
Driver Distractions in Commercial Vehicle Operations (FMCSA)
National Safety Council's Distracted Driving Web site (NSC)
"Driven to Distraction" (New York Times special series on distracted driving)
Drowsy and Distracted Driving (NHTSA)
White House Executive Order: Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging While Driving (Oct. 1, 2009)
U.S. DOT Distracted Driving Summit (Oct. 2009) Access archived Web cast, blog, NHTSA traffic safety facts, etc.
An Examination of Driver Distraction as Recorded in NHTSA Databases (Sept. 2009)
Keeping Young Drivers Safe (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia)